Mocha Frappuccino

October 7: National Frappé Day

Before we switched to mostly drinking tea, Highlander would spend several dollars a day at Starbucks drinking coffee—and that, when added up, was a budget buster! So sometimes it made “cents/sense” to make our own blended coffee drinks, such as a mocha frappuccino, at home for a whole lot cheaper. And we could control the amount of sweetened condensed milk, chocolate and whipped cream added to the coffee to suit our tastes. We still go to Starbucks once in a while, but not as frequently as before, to indulge in a frappé. But instead of buying one today, we made our own to observe National Frappé Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from The Pioneer Woman)

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups espresso or strong brewed coffee (we used leftover Kona)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ cup chocolate syrup
  • ice cubes
  • whipped cream

 Directions

In a blender, pour the coffee, milk, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla.

Add the chocolate syrup. Top off the blended with ice cubes. Blence until smooth. Pour into two tall glasses. Swirl some whipped cream on top. Add a straw and enjoy cold.

Notes

  • We halved the above recipe for the two of us and still had an extra serving left over.
  • Add about ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the recipe for some texture and flavor.
  • We drink more tea now (just plain—no sugar or milk/cream) than the sugary blended coffees but still indulge in a frappé once in a while. Although it saves us more money than buying Starbucks drinks daily, sometimes good quality organic tea can get pricey, too.
  • We bought a Starbucks frappucino and saved the logo cup, cover and green straw to drink the rest of our homemade frappé.

Kale Parmesan Chips

October 3: National Kale Day

Our farmer friend Eugene K. generously gave us a big bag of fresh vegetables, including kale. Islander prefers spinach overall but after tasting baked kale “chips”, she now craves kale this way for a healthy snack! This quick and easy homemade recipe for baked kale leaves tossed in olive oil and Parmesan cheese and lightly seasoned with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes are a totally tasty way to observe National Kale Day!

Recipe

Adapted from Betty Crocker

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch kale
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

 Directions

Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Mist with cooking spray. Wash and dry the kale. Tear the leaves into small pieces. Place in a bowl and toss with olive oil and cheese. Season the salt, pepper and flakes.

Spread the leaves out on the prepared pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through until the leaves are crispy. Remove from the oven and cool. Store remaining chips in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Thanks to Eugene K. for the kale from his farm.
  • We hope to add more kale recipes to our blog soon. Search back later.

Kona Coffee Liqueur Ice Cream

September 29: International Coffee Day

Ethiopia, Colombia, Jamaica, Indonesia, Vietnam. These are some of the countries that are world famous for producing fine coffee. The United States ranks in the top 10 in many coffee polls, thanks in part to Hawaii’s contribution! Kona (Big Island) is the most popular but there are coffee plantations and estates on the other Hawaiian Islands.

We proudly put Hawaiian coffee in recipes that call for this ingredient. That way we feel like we are supporting America and Hawaii’s local economy while adding a touch of aloha to our dishes. In our no churn coffee ice cream, we add a double dose of Kona coffee in the recipe by dissolving Kona coffee crystals in Kona coffee liqueur. It is onolicious!

Enjoy no churn Kona coffee liqueur ice cream on International Coffee Day!

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1-2 teaspoons instant Kona coffee crystals
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla, hot water or Kona coffee liqueur
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
  • a few drops of brown food coloring/paste (optional)

Directions

In a small cup, dissolve the coffee crystals into liquid (vanilla, water or liqueur). Blend well with the sweetened condensed milk.

In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until peaks form. Fold in the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture. Add a bit of brown food coloring (optional). Place in a loaf container, cover and freeze overnight.

Notes

  • Hawaii is only one of two states in America that grows coffee commercially. California is the other state. Georgia is in the early stages of experimenting with coffee growing. Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, has had a coffee plantation for some time.
  • Check out our other Kona coffee recipes: cupcakes, cheesecake and cookies, oh my!
  • Search our blog for other no-churn ice cream recipes under our Theme Menu option.